A MAN and woman were caught having sex in a churchyard in front of horrified children.
The shamed couple were spotted in the act at around 3.30pm on Thursday at St Peter’s Church in Suffolk.
Shocked children and their parents reported the incident, which unfolded on the church porch, to local police.
Cops later arrested a 45-year-old woman on suspicion of gross indecency.
She was also detained on suspicion of common assault in relation to threatening a member of the public.
A 58-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of exposure and voyeurism the same day.
They remain at Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre while investigations continue.
Chair of the West Suffolk Council, Cllr Phil Whittam told the Eastern Daily Press: “I think behaviour such as that in public is absolutely beyond the pale anyway.
“But in the churchyard, and at a time when schoolchildren are passing by, even more so.
“I fully support the parents’ dismay, anger and disgust about such a gross act in public and fully endorse the police to throw the book at these people.”
He branded the act “sacrilegious, disrespectful and disquieting”.
“I despair at the behaviour of some folk these days. It makes me shudder,” the councillor added.
Reverend Dennis Anthony Coburn has also broken his silence after the “antics” were witnessed.
In a statement on social media he wrote: “We were alerted by concerned parents to what their children witnessed.
“I, as Brandon’s Rector and Priest, would like to say how sorry I am at what they witnessed, and I am thankful that they reported it to us and the police.
“These things are just not acceptable. We will do everything in our power to stop this behaviour.”
Having sex in a church is not a specific crime, but it is covered by laws against indecent behavior in public or sacred places.
Those who participate in the act could be charged with disorderly behavior or outraging public decency.
It is also considered a religious offence due to the desecration of a holy place.
This comes after we reported how another randy couple were hauled from an easyJet flight by cops when they performed a sex act minutes after takeoff.
